When listing a home for sale, homeowners typically have two primary goals- to sell the property quickly and to sell it for top dollar. While makeovers and renovations might get a lot of time in the spotlight, you might be overlooking one of the biggest aspects of achieving those two goals- home staging.
According to Architectural Digest, when searching for a home, buyers are looking for a home that is well staged, making it easier for them to visualize the property as their future home- especially among Millennial and Gen Z buyers. Professionally staged homes regularly sell above the list price, and almost always receive more buyer interest. A 2021 survey by the NAR, 23% of buyers agents said that home staging raised the offered selling price between 1-5% compared to similar homes that were not staged. Time on market was also significantly impacted with staged homes spending 33% - 50% LESS time on market. The data clearly indicates that staging is a highly effective tool when selling a home.
When deciding to stage a property, homeowners may find themselves asking another set of questions: “Is it better to do the staging myself? Do I need to hire a professional?”
The fundamentals of staging are fairly simple- Declutter, Depersonalize, Brighten, and Enhance. Keeping these basic steps in mind will provide a great place to start, even if you do end up hiring a professional later. From tackling curb appeal outside your home, to giving specific rooms a facelift, there are many ways a homeowner can stage their home DIY style. However, for some, hiring a pro is the way to go.
The pros to DIY home staging are that it is often a more affordable option, saving the homeowner money. It also allows the homeowner more personal control in that the homeowner can decide what items to remove and how to arrange the furniture. The homeowner can also work at their own pace making changes as they see fit.
Some cons to DIY home staging would lead to sub-par results. Some simply do not have the experience or expertise to effectively stage a home to appeal to today’s buyers. For instance, The first two steps in staging, decluttering and depersonalizing, can be a challenge to many homeowners who may not even recognize the “personal touches” that fill their home. That’s one big advantage to hiring a professional stager- even if only in an advisory role. With their trained eye, a professional stager can enter a home and immediately pick up on areas that need to be addressed, bringing with them experience and understanding of current market trends. They also know contractors, should a space need more significant changes, and have access to a supply of different staging furniture and props, which can really help transform a place. Also, staging is a very time-consuming process.
Some factors to consider when deciding to DIY your home staging:
- Budget. If the budget is more limited, DIY staging may be the only option.
- Experience and Expertise. Consider your strengths and weaknesses. If interior design is a passion, then you may be able to effectively stage your home on your own.
- Timing: If your schedule is busy or you are on a short timeline, DIY staging may not be the best choice. Hiring a professional will allow you to dedicate your resources to the other aspects of home selling, home buying, and moving.
When the time comes to sell, consider the value of home staging. While you might be able to do some of the work yourself, it’s hard to put a price tag on the potential a professional brings to the table. Don’t be afraid to ask questions- you might just learn a few decorating tips and tricks for your new home, too!